Three tries from close range by No 8 Tom McLaren helped Mowden overcome a poor start against National Three North's bottom club.

The former Blaydon player forced his way over just before half-time to make it 7-7 at the interval and was driven over twice in three minutes midway through the second half.

The visitors included open side flanker Paul Sheldon, who was cited by Blaydon for the punch which left lock James Houghton needing stitches in an eye injury last week.

Longton forwards more than matched their hosts until they flagged in the last 20 minutes. A dour game then opened up and both sides put together sweeping moves, but the last try came when Mowden flyhalf Bedworth hoisted a kick to the left corner and fullback Dave Richardson touched down.

Longton's try came after 20 minutes when lock Rawlings broke away from a maul to score.

Bedworth kicked two penalties and a conversion for Mowden, whose backs again failed to sparkle, despite the highly-rated duo of Martin Shaw and Chris Blacklock being paired at centre for the first time. Mowden relied on Eni Gisende for a lot of their line-out ball.